Chicago launches programme to electrify municipal fleet
The US American city of Chicago has launched a new electrification initiative called ‘Chicago Electric’ to transition the city’s municipal fleet to electric vehicles by 2035, which will cost an investment of over $42M over a period of five years.
The City of Chicago maintains a fleet of 11,246 light, medium and heavy-duty vehicles that employees use in the provision of City services, including waste management and recycling, emergency services, and both external and internal operational services. The implementation of Chicago Electric is already underway, as the City plans to install over 190 charging stations citywide at municipal facilities.
In addition to the introduction of the new programme, the city of Chicago has stated that it will reach a significant milestone in the first year of the programme by procuring 182 electric vehicles, which will make up approximately 25% of the non-emergency light-duty fleet. To date, a total of 176 EVs have been leased or purchased with the bulk of those to be delivered in the coming months, making for a significant expansion in the first step.
The new initiative was introduced by Deputy Mayor Samir Mayekar, Chief Sustainability Officer Angela Tovar and Commissioner Sandra Blakemore of the Department of Assets, Information and Services (AIS). The organizers note that the announcement follows about a week after the new federal vehicle emissions standards for cars and trucks were proposed by the Biden-Harris administration and the EPA. On a state level, California had also recently banned the sale of new combustion-based trucks in the state from 2036.
“During my tenure as Mayor of Chicago, I have taken swift action to lower the City’s emissions and support new economic opportunities to bolster the green economy in Chicago and beyond,” said Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot. “I am proud to align our goals with President Biden, the US EPA, and our partners in the public and private sectors and to make environmentally responsible choices that serve our city and our planet.”
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